Omega Netball Club News

Omega faced their second away game of the season against local rivals Tegate. For the first time this season we had a full squad of 9 to choose from, therefore lots of combinations and options were available. Starting 7 was GK: Phoebe, GD: Claire, WD: Hannah, C: Megan, WA: Sophie, GA: Natalie, GS: Charlotte, with Leigh and Lucy heading up the subs bench.

Before the game started we spoke about starting the first quarter strong, blowing away our opponents from the beginning. This was a major part of our success from last season and we wanted to continue with that. Tegate had the first centre and they took it straight to goal, which was then followed by Omega scoring making it 1-1. Omega go on a slight run with Megan intercepting the ball and Omega passing it down to Charlotte who scores, making it 3-1. The defence picks off many intercepts but Omegas shooters fail to convert on every occasion, however we end the quarter 14-9. A great first quarter for Omega, doing exactly what we said before we stepped onto court.

The second quarter saw Leigh take the GD bib and Lucy taking the C bib. Claire and Megan take the bench to have a rest and watch the game. Tegate again start this quarter with a fast feed from their GA to GS to secure the next goal. A missed shot by Natalie then sees Tegate take the next goal, however Omega then turn over Tegates next centre pass and score. Lots of missed passes this quarter but Hannah wins the ball back in the centre third, however Charlotte fails to convert. Tegates WD breaks on their centre pass and Charlotte converts after gaining her own rebound. Tight marking from the defence sees Phoebe collect a missed shot from Tegates GS and Omega convert. Leigh tips the ball on Tegates centre pass and a chase for the ball sees it in Omegas hands and we score. Again Leigh intercepts the ball however is unbalanced and passes it straight to Tegates WA but Omega manages to win it back. Last few seconds remain but Charlotte footwork’s in the circle (due to a nudge by the defence however this was not seen) but Hannah intercepts the ball just as the whistle it called. This quarter ends 29 – 18 to Omega.

Heading into quarter three with an 11 goal difference we made some more changes. Claire taking the WD bib and Megan back on at WA. Hannah and Sophie take the subs bench for a well earnt rest. We were asked to perform with the same intensity as we knew Tegate weren’t going to give up easily. Tegate starts the quarter again but tight defence around the circle edge sees Tegates WA get called for held ball, but the ball is then won back by Tegate and they score. Tegates GA attempts an “off the post” back line but misses the post and Phoebe picks up the loose ball but we again fail to keep possession. Tegates WA picks up a caution in this quarter and a good feed in from Lucy to Natalie sees Natalie slot away the goal. This quarter ends 44-34 to Omega.

Going into the last 15 minutes we knew it was going to be tight as a 10 goal lead in netball can quickly be turned around. Claire takes the GK bib, Hannah comes back on at WD, Megan takes the C bib and Sophie comes back on at WA. This sees Phoebe and Lucy take the bench. Omega start this quarter and had to really control the ball as Tegate put on a zonal mark, but superb control and discipline see Omega secure the goal. Tegates defence  intercepts the ball however footwork is called and a great feed from Megan into Charlotte sees us add another goal to our tally. A few errors from both sides sees the ball go back and forward however on the final whistle Omega take all 5 points, denying their opponents an extra point for getting within 5. Final score 56-47.

Another great display from the whole squad this weekend. As a newly formed and promoted team into division 1 to get 3 wins out of our first 4 is a fantastic achievement for the club. We hope this fine form continues. Massive thanks yet again to our wonderful supporters who are there week in week out cheering us on and pushing us over the finishing line. Our next game is a home game against Eastwood on 18 November.

The game got off to a rocky start. Omega had the first centre pass, but get a held ball at the circle. Omega win the ball back again to score. Rookies take their centre pass, an interception by C, Lucy Hoskin, see Omega take the ball down court with some great links by all. A miss by GA, Natalie Faal, means Rookies take the ball to score. Tight marking by Omega’s defence forces Rookies to throw the ball of the sideline. Omega Equalise 2-2. GS, Charlotte Jordan, misses the next shot and Rookies score from it. Omega then lose their centre pass as Rookies WD makes an interception, and they score. GD, Leigh Rees-Reynolds, tips a feed into the circle by Rookies and GK, Phoebe Gillen, picks it up but the ball is lost again at Omega’s circle edge. Rookies then miss a shot; Phoebe picks up the rebound. The ball is lost again on a pass between Charlotte and Lucy across the circle. Rookies try to get the ball back the their GS, but Phoebe makes another interception. The ball makes it to Omega’s circle edge, but a feed in is fumbled. Rookies take the free pass and end that little back and forth tennis match with a goal. WD, Hannah Sell, picks up a loose ball but it is thrown away by Omega meaning Rookies score another goal. Tight marking by Omega on the next centre pass, and Rookies throw the ball off court. Omega use this and score. In the last 25 seconds Rookies take a centre pass, but Omega can’t stop another goal. Omega are down 10-12 at the end of the first quarter.

Omega starts the 2nd quarter. A throw from GS, Charlotte Jordan goes straight into the hands of the Rookies WD. Fortunately the WD goes offside and Omega get the ball back, but it is immediately intercepted by the Rookies GD. Rookies GS misses. GD, Leigh Rees-Reynolds, gets the rebound, a lob into the circle by WA, Megan Pryde, is intercepted and Rookies score again. A pass from Omega’s C, Sophie Cockrill, is tipped, but Megan picks up the loose ball, the ball is lost again and Rookies score again. Rookies make an error trying to get the ball into the circle and it goes off the backline. Omega uses this opportunity to take a goal. Omega makes an interception in defence, but go on to make the same error as Rookies and a feed into the circle goes off the backline and Rookies go on to score. Megan goes offside feeding into the circle and Rookies get another chance to score, they miss and GK, Phoebe Gillen, gets the rebound. Footwork by Charlotte sees the ball coming back to Rookies circle, but Leigh intercept a feed into the shooters, GA, Natalie Faal misses a shot and Rookies end up taking the goal. Rookies lose the opportunity to score when their GS uses the post to stop her falling off court, and Omega score. A great feed from Natalie in mid court to Charlotte in the circle means Omega scores another goal. Two good feeds from Megan to Charlotte gain Omega another two goals. A Rookies error on the goal line and a shot from Natalie scores Omega another but goal, but its not enough and Omega are still down 23-27 at half time.

Rookies start the 3^rd quarter and score. Omega lose the ball as GS, Charlotte Jordan back passes and WD, Sophie Cockrill, contacts. But Omega wins back the ball to score. GK, Phoebe Gillen, intercepts a feed in to the shooters but it is wasted as the ball goes off our goal line. WA, Megan Pryde intercepts mid court but again it is lost at the circle edge. GD, Leigh Rees-Reynolds, gets pulled for contact, but Omega still goes on to score. Sophie picks up a caution for persistent contact. Phoebe gets a rebound but the ball is lost mid court with a pass by C, Lucy Hoskin. Lucy then picks up a caution for persistent contact. Phoebe intercepts the ball with 5 minutes to go and Omega equalise 33-33. Rookies WA receives a caution for persistent contact. Rookies intercept a back pass from GA, Natalie Faal and they score. A bad pass and an intercepted centre pass see Rookies take 2 more goals. Omega are still down at the end of the quarter 35-37.

Omega starts the final quarter well. GS, Charlotte Jordan, scores a goal with a throw off the post from the back line. GK, Phoebe Gillen makes an interception and Omega score again. 4 minutes in an omega have equalised 40-40. Omega takes the next centre pass but Charlotte misses for the lead. GD, Leigh Rees-Reynolds gets a rebound. Rookies GD gets a caution for persistent contact and Omega score. WD, Sophie Cockrill picks up a wild pass and Omega score again. Rookies GK is given a warning. GA, Natalie Faal misses a shot and Rookies take the ball to score. Leigh is then given a caution for persistent contact. With 4 minutes to go Omega take a 1 goal lead. Rookies GS goes off court with a bad pass and Omega take advantage of this. A bad pass is stolen back by Sophie and taken to goal. After being behind for the whole match Omega come away with a 52-49 win and some very relieved spectators.

The second game of the season saw our first team host the well established Hatfield NC at home. With the full squad unavailable, support was given from Nicola Rantell, Charlotte Ramejkis and Molly Brett. A nervous squad to start, but determined as ever to fight for a result.

The first quarter saw a new squad enter the court. The first centre pass taken by Hatfield saw an unforced error, with Omega responding to this and taking to goal. Unfortunately a miss saw Hatfield’s fierce defence take the rebound, and convert the goal. A returned unforced error of ball dropping on Omega’s account saw Hatfield steal the pass, but an interception by WD, Hannah Sell, with a pass into Charlotte Jordan, GS, and working with attack help them to convert the goal.

Hatfield attack again, and tight defence was demonstrated by Omega’s GK, Leigh Rees-Reynolds and GD, Claire Daw, with a tip by Leigh. Constant pressure by defence causes multiple shot attempts, with an eventual goal for Hatfield. Defensive attack play by Hatfield pressures interceptions made by Leigh, but finally converted to goal by Omega. End of quarter sees Omega leading 11-8.

2nd quarter and no squad changes from Omega. This quarter sees 3 clean interceptions from Leigh (GK) and Claire Daw (GD), giving the support to the Omega attack. Hatfield’s defence again pressure the Omega shooters throughout, with their GK forcing Omega’s errors. A bounce pass from GA to GS sees Omega lose possession and Hatfield convert to goal. Some unforced errors on Omega’s part with reverse possession, and hesitation at goal give Hatfield an opening to goal. Defence stay strong to pressure down court. Great defensive tip from Nicola Rantell, C, in Hatfield’s attacking third adds the pressure and is taken towards Omega’s attack. 2 seconds to go and Omega C passes into shooters and goal is scored. Omega keeps showing fight until the whistle with a final quarter score of 24-20.

3rd quarter and Hatfield come on fighting, with volume from their bench heightening. Hatfield take first centre with the goal pressured by Claire, and rebound won by Leigh. Ball is taken down court but unfortunately lost. Similar defence sees Omega take to the shooters via Sophie Cockrill, WA, to convert goal. With pressures rising, Leigh picks up caution in defensive circle. Unforced errors on both accounts sees play reverse the court with eventual conversion by Hatfield. Omega C picks up caution for deliberate obstruction. A forced pass into double marked Charlotte Jordan, GS, is luckily taken off court by GD and Omega take back line. Hatfield react to the spectator support and take the quarters lead, 33-32.

After a team talk and squad changes; Megan Pryde taking WD and Hannah Sell playing WA, Omega return to court full of fight. Constant support from spectators gives Omega the boost needed. Omega start the quarter with equalising goal by Charlotte. Unfortunately opportunity to take the lead is lost, but regained with interception from Leigh, followed by long pass from Hannah directly to Charlotte and converted to goal. Omega continue to apply pressure throughout the court, although Hatfield defence continue to apply pressure and Omega miss a shot. ‘Dummy passes’ see Omega’s attacking feed improve to Natalie and Charlotte. Leigh and Megan continue to support up the court allowing possessive play and control into Omega circle. Omega attack tightly defend back line pass, forcing over third pass. Leigh takes another interception taken to goal with final few seconds remaining. Forced pass from Omega’s shooters sees Hatfield take possession and the final goal. Final score: 44-39.

A great performance from both squads, and a greatly contested game in good spirit. Continual support from both teams spectators saw the energetic game from both squads. Omega’s defence of Leigh Rees-Reynolds and Claire Daw supports the squad throughout to take the win. POM goes to Charlotte Jordan (Omega) and Sophie Welsh (Hatfield).

The first Division 1 game ever in the East Region League for Omega and we meet local team Turnford who finished runners up in the league at the end of last season.  Omega were nervous for their first game after gaining the promotion last season.  A newly formed team, with Emma Maidment and Lucy Andrews both out, imminently expecting their 2nd child each and some of the new squad not available.

Turnford start the game and a great steal from Omega’s WA, Sophie Cockrill mid-court sees Omega taking the first goal…an unexpected start to the game which gives Omega an early boost.  Turnford loose a centre pass, but Omega fail to maintain possession as the Turnford GD reads the game well and intercepts the ball before it reaches our shooters.  Omega’s GK,  Phoebe Gillen returns the favour as she is next to steal the ball as Turnford attempt to pass at the shooting circle edge and Omega take the ball down court but loose it again on a feed to our GS.   GA, Natalie Faal intercepts a Turnford Centre pass and takes it to her circle partner, GS, Charlotte Jordan, who converts the goal.  Another intercept by Phoebe is quickly lost with a replay of the ball mid-court.  Omega fight goal for goal and at an equal 5-5 score, the Turnford WA footworks to give Omega an opportunity to take the lead, but this is short-lived as WA, Sophie Cockrill is called for a held ball as the shooters are hidden behind their players.    Tight Omega defence sees Turnford struggle to feed their shooters in the same vein and another held ball call allows Omega the opportunity to take to goal but once again the Turnford GD reads it well and intercepts.     Phoebe steals yet another ball from the Turnford shooters, but as soon as it’s taken, it’s given straight back.  In the final 30 seconds of the quarter, Turnford C goes offside in their shooting circle and Omega take to goal, followed by the final Omega centre pass, which we loose as Charlotte contacts the Turnford defence under the post, leaving the score 11-8 in Turnford’s favour.

Turnford make some errors at the start of the second quarter and Omega succeed in converting the goals to punish their opposition, allowing them to equalise.  However some poor passing in our attacking third takes away the chance of taking the lead, giving possession to Turnford who capitalise on the errors and are the ones to take a 2 goal lead. Turnford’s GS is called for contact on a couple of occasions this quarter and Omega take advantage of one occasion, but miss the shot on the second occasion and Turnford take the rebound and take the ball to goal.   A dropped ball in the Omega shooting circle sees the ball swiftly finding the Turnford attacking circle, but they miss the shot and GD, Claire Daw claims the rebound.  Possession is brief as Turnford intercept, but ownership for them is also short-lived as Phoebe once again wins possession.  Omega take it to their shooting circle once more, but again loose it and Turnford take the goal.   A better second quarter for Omega as they win the quarter 14-12, leaving the score at 22-23 to Turnford going into the second half.

The final centre pass of the 2nd quarter is a deja-vue experience from the earlier Omega 2 vs Watford game, where the opposition are slow at returning to the centre circle for the final centre pass as the final few seconds remain on the clock and once again, Omega are expecting a ‘delayed play’ call, but once again, it is not given and Turnford start the 3rd quarter.   A held ball call against Turnfords GA gives possession to Omega, but the shot is missed and Turnford take ownership and score the goal.  GD, Claire Daws intercepts for Omega, giving back opportunity for goals for her team.  Turnford centre pass is lost as Omega apply pressure and the ball goes off the side line.  Omega take advantage of possession, taking the ball to their shooting circle but a pass between their GA and GS manages to end up out of court, crossing the goal line.    More strong defence applied by Omega sees Turnford throw the ball off their goal line and Omega succeed in stealing a goal and taking a 2 goal lead 5 minutes into the quarter, but Omega loose a centre pass, allowing Turnford to equalise and take the lead again.    Omega’s WA picks up a caution for persistent offside this quarter and Turnford increase their lead to 5 goals by the end of the quarter.

Omega start the final quarter, but fail to keep possession, however Turnford loose the ball with an over third pass.   A good minute and a half into the final quarter and the first goal is scored by Omega, thanks to an interception won by Claire Daws.    A clean steal of the ball by WD, Molly Brett gives Omega another opportunity and GA, Nat Faal rewards with a goal.    A loose ball is chased by Nat, which she passes back to Claire Daw at the traverse line, but with two Turnford players on her, Turnford steal the ball and the goal.   Turnford maintain a 4 goal lead with under 7 minutes of the game remaining.  Omega make many minor errors at this point, which prove costly and allow Turnford to increase the lead.   The game ends with a final score of 41-49 to Turnford.

A great first game for a newly formed Omega team in their first ever Division one game in the East Region League, particularly against an established opposition.   The team gave their opposition a great game, fighting for the game throughout and keeping it close right up to the final quarter, so a game and result they can be proud of.  A big thanks to Molly Brett and Nicola Rantell who had already played the earlier Herts County League game and also to Charlotte Ramejkis for coming along as reserve.